2:17 R

4/4

“Manchester by the Sea”, written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, and starring Casey Affleck, is a masterpiece that takes the basic premise of a death in the family and weaves a complex web of humor, family, tragedy, and life itself more successfully than any movie I’ve seen.

Lee Chandler (Affleck) is a handyman living and working in a Boston apartment complex, spending his nights drinking and watching TV or drinking and getting in fights. When he receives word that his brother Joe (Kyle Chandler) has died, he drives to Manchester-by-the-Sea to to make arrangements for the funeral, where he is then informed that he is the sole legal guardian of his nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges).

Casey Affleck’s performance as Lee suits the film perfectly. While the script calls for plenty of brooding, yelling, and physical violence, Affleck never lets Lee seem unrealistic or excessive, instead gradually releasing intense emotions that have been built up from the first scene.

The rest of the cast is also phenomenal (Lucas Hedges and Michelle Williams being particular standouts), as each character is believable and relatable, allowing the audience to become truly invested in the story.

Not all of the credit can go to the actors, however, as Lonergan’s script and direction use dialogue, soundtrack, and the setting of a sleepy Massachusetts town to reinforce the emotions expressed by the characters.

More important than the acting, and the central reason as to why the film is great instead of just good, is Lonergan’s understanding of humanity and his ability to create scenes where humor, awkwardness and heartbreak intersect, such as a phone buzzing throughout a funeral scene or a conversation full of pauses, interruptions, and tears, with no real conclusion.

“Manchester by the Sea” is a rare movie in that it embraces the sadness, humor, and awkwardness of life, and doesn’t sugar coat any of it. These qualities can make it a tough watch, but a rewarding one too.